The main problems addressed in this work are the ability of a cermet coating to perform as a fire barrier. Also of importance are the corrosion characteristics and mechanical properties of the cermet when attached to the substrate. The most important property of the coating is in delaying (or preventing) failure of the aluminum substrate. Attention is also paid to simple manufacture of the coatings; to this end, a cermet formulation was developed rather than a duplex or graded coating.